“Doesn’t sound like I had much of a choice.” I snatched my snacks from his hand and tore into a ho-ho as my stomach rumbled. At least he was nice to look at.
“Looks like we won’t be strangers before long. I’m sure we can get to know one another on the way to Temecula. We’ll be BFFs by the time we get there.”
I laughed sarcastically as we walked to my car. “Not likely.”
“Aw, you’re breaking my heart already, Cupcake.”
“Stop calling me that. I told you my name, Levi.”
“I’ll try but I can’t promise anything, Rylee.”
I rolled my eyes at him and pulled my driver side door open and sat behind the wheel. I could feel Levi’s eyes on me like he was checking me out or trying to figure me out. There wasn’t much to figure out, though. I traveled a lot, designing hotels. When I met Callie, it was the first time I had settled down in one place. But with that behind me now, California was going to be my new temporary home.
“So, what do you do, Rylee?” He put the emphasis on my name.
“I do interior design. What do you do?”
“I am starting a new job as a concierge. I’m getting out of my PR business because I don’t like all the travel it requires. I’d like to settle down in one place. This job seemed like a good move for me.”
“That’s awesome.”
Levi turned to me. “Can you pull over? I gotta take a piss.”
“Are you serious? We’ve only been on the road ten damn minutes.”
“I didn’t have to piss at that moment. Pull over anywhere.”
“Fine,” I huffed, shaking my head. I pulled over and Levi hopped out of the car. He walked farther into the wooded area so no one would see him.
A few moments later he wandered back to the car and got in. “You were looking at my ass, weren’t ya?”
“Please. Don’t flatter yourself.” Even though he did have a nice, slap-worthy ass.
“Come on, admit it.”
“No. You need to tell me where to drop you off in Temecula.
“I’ll tell you if you admit you were looking at my ass.”
“I will not admit to such.” I felt my cheeks heat up.
“Fine. I’m staying in a suite at Cotton House Hotel.”
I whipped my head to look at him. “That’s where I’m headed. The new owners hired me as a designer.”
“I guess we’ll be seeing each other a lot then.”
“I guess so.”
Looks like I wasn’t getting rid of Levi anytime soon. Maybe a part of me was glad.
Chapter Two
RYLEE
“Do you pick up guys a lot during your travels?” Levi asked about an hour into our trip.
“No. I made an exception just for you.”
“Liar.”
“I’m not lying. Do you go to random girls’ rooms on a nightly basis?” I realized I didn’t want to know his response. “Never mind. Don’t answer that. And what happened last night, that was a one-time thing.”
“If you say so, Cupcake.” He smirked and I didn’t know why it made my heart skip a beat.
We were two and a half hours away from Temecula. And I was ready to get out of this car. Being confined to a small space, Levi was making me think thoughts I shouldn’t be thinking.
“How old are you?” I finally asked.
“I’m twenty-five.”
I laughed. “You’re a baby.”
“How old are you?”
“I’m thirty-seven.”
“You look like you’re twenty-five.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“And, I’m no baby. I’m all man. Actually, I think I proved that last night. But I’d be happy to show you again.” He grinned.
“Oh my god. You don’t stop, do you?”
My phone buzzed from its spot in the cup holder. Saved by the bell. Looking at my phone screen, I saw a familiar name.
“Hey, girl.”
“Hey. How far away are you?” Aubrey asked.
“I’m a little over two hours away.”
“Okay. You’ll have to let me know what you think of Chance’s cousin Levi. Beware, he’s a huge flirt.”
I quickly looked over to my passenger, and moved the phone so I could ask, “Is your last name Bateman?”
He smiled wide. “It is.”
Rolling my eyes, I got back to my call with Aubrey. “We’ve met.” Glancing over at Levi, it all made sense. Because I could make the connection now.
Aubrey laughed. “Oh no. You’ll have to fill me in later. I just pulled up to the animal shelter. I’ll let you go. I wanted to wish you luck on your new venture.”
“Thank you. And kiss all the animals for me.”
“Will do. And stop by when you get a free moment.”
“Okay. See you later.”
“Later.”
“You know Aubrey?” Levi asked.
“I knew Aubrey back in college. We have always kept in contact since we graduated. But now that I’m transplanting my life in Temecula, CA, I was able to re-connect with her.” After realizing that I met Chance, I knew if Levi was anything like Chance, I was going to be in big trouble.
“She’s a good girl for my cousin. Keeps him in line.”
“Well, he only has eyes for her, that’s for sure. And you are Chance’s cousin, right?”
“Yeah. We didn’t grow up together. But we got closer when he moved to the states. Now we’re best friends.” Levi changed the subject when he spotted something ahead. “How about we make a pit stop up ahead?” Levi suggested as he pointed to a huge golf ball that was high in the sky. “It’s the best miniature golfing around.” His eyes twinkled with delight.
“I guess you would know.”
“I got all the connections from California to New York, baby.”
Trying not to smile, I pulled off the exit while Levi instructed where to go. We arrived five minutes later. “Wow! This place is amazing,”
